Well-derrick device



June 11, 1929. MYERS 1,716,559

WELL DERRICK DEVI CE Filed Jan. 11, 1928 Patente'cl June II, 1929.

1,716,559 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. MYERS, 0F VENTURA, CALIFORNIA.

WELL-DERRICK DEVICE.

Application filed January 11, 1928. Serial No. 246,066.

This invention relates to an improved device for use in well rigs or derricks and I adapted to retain and support casing, drill pipe, rods or other elongated, cylindrical, or tubular members used in drilling operations.

An object of this invention is to provide a retaining device for use in well rigs or derricks adapted to support drill pipe, rods and the like. Another object is to provide a device adapted to retain casing, drill pipe and the like in suitable position in a derrick. An-

' other object is to provide an adjustable device for retaining varying quantities of casing, drill pipe and the like, adapted to distribute the weight and stresses imposed by said pipe advantageously. Another object is to provide a portable and adjustable device for retaining and supporting varying quantities of pipe, rods and the like in a derrick without interfering with the movement of block and tackle within said derrick.

Other objects and advantages, desirable features and uses of this invention will become apparent fromithe following full and detailed description of one form of the de; vice illustrated in the appended drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an oil well derrick or rig indicating one location at which the device embodying my invention may be operated Figure 2 is a horizontal section through- Figure 1' taken along theline 22 delineating a plan view of one form of my device in position in a derrick or rig; and

Figure 3 is a vertical elevation taken in section along the line 33 in Figure 2.

In drilling wells for various purposes, for instance for the location of an oil body, it is customary to employ lengths of drill rods, sucker rods, drill pipe, casing and other cylindrical or tubular members which are positioned end to end and placed in the hole or used in drilling, swabbing, pumping, fishing and other operations. These rods and pipe are usually in lengths of from about to 80 feet or at least attached together to form such lengths and are often stacked in a corner or corners of derricks or rigs. Because of the construction of derricks or rigs, these lengths of pipe and rods are in a substantially vertical position within the derrick and often become shakenout of position, crashing against another side of the derrick and subjecting it to high and sudden shock and stress and often endangering life and nterfering with the operation of the traveling block generally centrally disposed within the derrick.

This invention relates to a device for retaining and supporting pipe, rods and the like within a derrick without interference with the operation of the traveling block, and adapted to distribute the weight of the retained pipe or rods to the strongest portions of the derrick, namely, the corner posts, instead of allowing the weight to be taken up by the girths. The device embodying my invention may be lo= cated at any suitable point in the derrick,

depending upon the height thereof, the length of the pipe or rods being stacked, etc. but generally may be positioned at about a 60 to 80 foot level above the ground or base.

Referring to the drawings and that embodiment of the invention illustrated therein, the device may comprise a base plate 1 made of channel iron as illustrated resting upon side girths 2 of the derrick and adjacent to corner posts 3. The base plate may also be made of two channel irons placed together and fastened in any suitablemanner or of any other structurally strong member or fabricated structure. Instead of using a metal base, a hard wood plank or a number thereof may be suitably fastened together and be used as a base of this device.

Positioned longitudinally with respect to V the base 1 suitable guide members 4 may be supported by means of brackets, supports or sockets 5, said brackets or supports being suitably fastened to the base 1. As illustrated in the drawing, the longitudinal guide member 4 may be made of a tubular metallic member positioned in the brackets 5 by means of pins or lugs 6. Collars or sleeves 7 are mounted upon the longitudinal guide member 4 and preferably adapted to move longitudinally upon said member 4. If the member 4 is circular in cross section, the collars or sleeves 7 will be adapted to both move longitudinally thereon and to revolve. Means are provided for positioning the sleeve 7 upon the longitudinal guide member 4, such means comprising a series of perforations 8 into which retaining pins 9 may be dropped. Any other suitable means of positioning the sleeve 7 upon the guide member 4 may be used if desired. i

A transversely extending retaining member 10 is provided. and operatively connected,

as for example by means or a hinge 11, with one of the sleeves or collars 7. If desired, the transversely extending retaining member may be provided with an extension 12 having a curved free end. The retaining member 10 may be made of tubular material. so that the extension 12 may telescope into the member 10 and any suitable means may be used in positioning the extension 12 with respect to the retaining member 10. Such means may comprise a series of perforations or notches in the extension 12 and a suitable catch, pawl or pin at or near the extremity of the retaining member 1-0. For example, pins 13 fitting into depressions or holes 1:1 made in the extension 12 may be used in positioning the extension with respect to the retaining member 10. T heretaining member 10 is provided with a brace 1.5 operatively connecting the retaining member 10 with a second sleeve or collar 7 positioned upon the longitudinal guide member 4. Preferably the brace 15 is connected to the collar T by means of a hinge 16. Positioning of the retaining member 10 in spaced relation with the girths 2 may be facilitated by providing a hinge connection between the retaining member 10 and the brace 15 as shown at 17, a perforated lin 18 being provided so as to enable the hinge connection to be made at any suitable point along said fin and thereby position the retaining member 10 with respect to the girth 2 without longitudinal movement of the collar 7 to which the brace is attached, along the guide means 1.

As shown in Figure 3, a similar construction may be employed on the underside of the base 1 so as to provide the retaining member 10 in spaced relation with the girth 2 on the other side of the derrick and to facilitate the movement of either retaining member and its extension without interfering with the retaining member on the other side of the derrick.

The device is attached to the derrick and more particularly to the girth 2 by means of suitable bolts such as the jay-bolts 19. The weight of the casing or drill pipe 20 retained and supported by the retaining member 10 is transmitted through the brace 15, collar 7, longitudinal guide means 4;, and stop 21 to the corner posts 3 of the derrick. The stop or brace 21 may have any desired shape or construction. One of the simplest forms comprises a fiat plate ,as shown in the drawing adjustably attached to the base 1 by means of bolts 22. If desired, the brace or stop 21 may be constructed of angle iron and bolted to the side of the base 21 so as to function in the above described manner in transmitting the weight of the casing or drill pipe to the corner posts of the derrick.

It will be seen that the retaining members and their extensions and the braces may be capable of limited rotation around the guide member 4 on which they are movably positioned. In practice, it is desired to maintain the retaining member 10 in a substantially horizontal position and this is facilitated by means of a heavy spring 23 connecting the retaining member 10 with a portion of the derrick above the device. The location of the spring 23 is clearly shown in Figure 1 and the spring should be capable of at least supporting the weight of a man together with the weight of the retaining member 10 and the brace 15.

This device does not interfere in the least with the movement of the traveling block 24 and even though the traveling block, by swinging out of its customary position, comes in contact with any part of the retaining member, the retaining member will give or yield to the blow given by the traveling block and will not release the casing or drill pipe retained by the device. If during the operation of drilling a well or after the well has been drilled there is no further necessity for the device embodying this invention, such device may be easily folded by disconnecting the hinge 17 and strapping the retaining member 10 and the brace to the base 1 or to the longitudinal guide member 4:, thereby clearing the entire central. portion of the derrick. The device is easily removed from the derrick proper and may be installed very rapidly.

Various modifications and changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts from that particularly shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention, my invention embracing all such modifications and changes as come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for retaining casing or pipe in a well derrick comprising, a base, a longitudinal guide means attached to said base, longitudinal movable collars mounted on said guide means, means for adjustably positioning said collars on said guide means, a transversely extending retaining member provided with an extension thereon operatively connected with one of said collars, a brace operatively connecting said retaining member with a second collar, and spring means adapted to maintain said transverse retaining member and brace in a substantially horizontal position.

2.. A device for retaining casing, drill pipe and the like in a well derrick comprising, a base, means for fastening saidbase to a derrick, a longitudinally extending guide means positioned above said base, longitudinally movable sleeves mounted on said guide means, means for adjustably positioning said sleeves on said guide means, a transversely extending retaining member hingedly connected with one of said sleeves, a brace hingedly connect ing the retaining member with a second sleeve,'spring means adapted to maintain said transverse retaining member and brace in a substantially horizontal position, and means for transmitting the Weight of retained casing or pipe to corner post's of'the derrick.

3. A device for retaining casing or pipe in a well derrick comprising, a base, a longitudinal guide means attached to the base, a retaining member adjustably connected to 10 said guide means, a brace adjustably connected to said retaining member and to said guide means, means for positioning said retaining member and brace upon said guide means "and means for yieldingly supporting said retaining member and brace in a substantially horizontal position.

Signed at Ventura, California, this 29th day of December, 1927.

THOMAS A. MYERS. 

